Singapore's Transport Minister, S Iswaran, of Indian origin, has resigned from the ruling People's Action Party amidst corruption charges, according to a BBC report. The 61-year-old politician, facing charges since his arrest on July 11 last year, will also step down as a Member of Parliament. Iswaran, arrested as part of a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) inquiry, denies the allegations outlined in the charges. In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, dated January 16, Iswaran expressed his intention to focus on clearing his name. He stated, "Given the circumstances, I feel it is right for me to resign from Cabinet, as a Member of Parliament and as a member of the PAP."
In a separate communication on January 17, Iswaran informed the prime minister of his decision to return his salary and MP allowance received since the commencement of the CPIB investigations in July 2023. He justified this action by stating, “My family and I have decided to return the monies because we cannot in all good conscience benefit from them when I was unable, on account of the investigations, to discharge my duties as a minister and Member of Parliament.” Iswaran emphasized that he would not seek the return of these funds if acquitted.
Prime Minister Lee expressed disappointment and sadness at Iswaran’s departure from politics under such circumstances but stressed the importance of handling such matters rigorously as per the law to uphold the integrity of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the government. Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat is set to replace Iswaran, effective immediately, while also being appointed Second Minister for Finance. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu will assume Iswaran’s role as the Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations.
In a recent court appearance, Iswaran pleaded not guilty to 27 charges, including corruption, obstructing justice, and receiving gratification as a public servant. The charges allege that he accepted over SGD 160,000 from property tycoon Ong Beng Seng to advance business interests in a Singapore Grand Prix contract and received valuable items worth over SGD 218,000, including Grand Prix tickets, between 2015 and 2021. Iswaran, with a political career spanning more than 26 years since his election in 1997, served as Minister for Transport since May 2021.